Marcella M Collette

January 8, 2013

September 10, 1926-December 13, 2012

On December 13, 2012 our Mother left this earth. Marcella M Collette was born in Orleans on September 10, 1926, the daughter of Delphis and Juliette Souliere. Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters was a story within itself. She leaves 2 younger sisters Sr. Carmel, Theresa, and her brother Beeb.
Marcella married the love of her life, Philip R Collette who predeceased her exactly 6 months to the day. They celebrated their 65th anniversary in Florida where they had lived in harmony since 1980. Their summers at Shadow Lake Camp "LUVITHERE" were many and their family visited often to see their parents and grandparents until the trips north proved to be too much.
Mom had three sons: Richard and his wife Joyce of North Carolina, David and Kathleen of North Carolina, and Mark and wife Dee-dee of Orleans, Vt. She was the proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Her education was at Orleans and Sacred Heart High School and her working life started at the local pharmacy, her fatherâ€™s businesses and the Orleans Commission Sales for brother Joe. For the next 20+ years she was a partner with her husband operating Phil Collette Plumbing Heating in Orleans. About 40 years ago, she was awarded a special honor from the Lions Club as Citizen of the Year as she was recognized for donating a kidney to her brother "Gassy," which was quite a gift. Putting others before herself reflected her strong faith in God which helped to be well prepared for her day of reckoning. This inner strength was evident as her challenges were met every day for the last two years.
Mom was an awesome quilter and won many blue ribbons at the local fair, her quilts will be cherished by the family. We admire our Mother for many reasons but the fact that she accomplished so much throughout her life â€“ a marriage that worked, a family to be proud of, over 30 years of retirement, returning to her home in Orleans with her independence just in time for Thanksgiving. She didnâ€™t ask for much â€“ her own kitchen, lap top for her emails and a lot of family and friends to share her remaining days back home, just taking care of business. Many times we heard one of her favorite sayings:
â€śYesterday is history
Tomorrow a mystery
Today is a gift
Thatâ€™s why we call it the present.â€ť
The care she received from her family, special friends, Home Health/VNA, professional health providers and many others, was admirable and will always be remembered.
Funeral arrangements will be at the familyâ€™s earliest convenience. At this time, any gifts offered in her memory could be directed toward the Orleans County Home Health/Hospice/VNA organizations. Those people are indeed ANGELS on earth that made the last days as comfortable as could be, special people indeed. Thanks to all of you!
Mom is at peace with Phil, family and friends and her spirit will always be with us. If anyone knows the words to an old Jimmy Duranteâ€™ song called "SIDE BY SIDE"- the lyrics sum up her outlook of what is important in life. Wasnâ€™t long ago we were singing it going down the road - she knew all the words.